Lactam polymerization with amide initiators

ABSTRACT

Certain amide compounds based on aromatic amines are utilized as polymerization initiators or activators with alkaline catalysts in the anionic polymerization of lactam monomers so as to provide polymerization systems which may be utilized in a variety of molding operations.

United States Patent 91 Matzner et a1.

[ Aug. 28, 1973 [73] Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation, New

York, N .Y.

22 Filed: Nov.ll, 1971 21 Appl.No.:197,933

Related US. Application Data [60] Division of Ser. No. 183,700, Sept. 24, 1971, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 26,128, April 6, 1970, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 260/78 L, 260/78 P [51] Int. Cl C08g 20/18 [58] Field of Search 260/78 L, 78 P, 26,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,621,001 11/1971 Steinhofer et al 260/78 L FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,081,261 8/1967 Great Britain 260/78 L OTHER PUBLICATIONS Mottus, E. et a1. ACS Polymer Chemistry Div. Preprints, 9(l)pp. 390-397 (1968) Primary Examiner-William I-I. Short Agistggt Examiner-L. M. Phynes H Att0rneyPaul A. Rose, James J. OConnell et a1.

[5 7] ABSTRACT Certain amide compounds based on aromatic amines are utilized as polymerization initiators or activators with alkaline catalysts in the anionic polymerization of lactam monomers so as to provide polymerization systems which may be utilized in a variety of molding operations.

8 Claims, No Drawings LACTAM POLYMERTZATION WITH AMIDE INITIATORS This application is a division of patent application Ser. No. 183,700, filed Sept. 24th, 1971, which is a continuation-in-part'of patent application Ser. No. 26,128 filed Apr, 6, 1970, said application Ser. No. 26,128 being now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTlON 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to the anionic polymerization of lactam monomers.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the anionic polymerization of lactams there is usu ally employed a catalyst-initiator system. The catalyst is commonly a material which will form an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of the lactam. The initiators or activators that have been used to data have included a number of materials such as lactones, isocyanate compounds, acyl lactones, esters and carbonates. Many of these initiators, such as diisocyanates, are relatively toxic compounds.

Many of the catalyst-initiator systems also suffer from the disadvantage in that each class of such initiators only provides for either a relatively fast or a relatively slow rate of polymerization. As a result, each of these classes of initiators is only suitable for use in one or two, but seldom for very many, different types of molding systems. Thus, although the relatively slow acting polymerization systems are readily useable in r tational casting operations, they are not too readily useful in extrusion molding processes or in other types of casting operations. The fast acting initiators, on the other hand, although useful in extrusion processes and in some casting operations, are not readily useful in rotational casting operations. As a result, it is necessary, in many cases, to use a different catalyst-initiator system in different molding processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Lactams are anionically polymerized utilizing a catalyst-initiator system wherewith the lactams can be polymerized with the one catalyst-initiator system in a variety of types of molding processes. This system contains an anionic catalyst, and, as the initiator or activator, one or more of certain amide compounds which have structures based on aromatic amines.

An object of the present invention is to provide an anionic polymerization process whereby lactams may be readily polymerized with a single catalyst-initiator system in a variety of molding operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel initiator or activator system for use in the an ionic polymerization of lactam monomers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT It has now been found that lactams may be polymerized anionically with a catalyst-initiator system that may be employed in a variety of molding operations if there is employed as such catalyst-initiator system an anionic catalyst and, as an initiator or activator, one or more of certain aromatic amine based amide compounds.

THE LACTAMS The lactams which may be polymerized according to the present invention are all those which are capable of being polymerized anionically and are preferably those lactam monomers which contain at least one ring group of the structure wherein n is a whole number which is 3 to 15, and preferably 3 to 10, and R, and R may be the same or different radicals on each carbon atom and may be H or C, to C hydrocarbon.

Such lactams would include those having a single ring structure such as 2-pyrrolidone, 2-piperidone, 6-methyl-2-piperidone, e-caprolactam, enantholactam, capryllactam, lauryl-lactam, decanolactam, undecanolactam, dodecanolactam, pentadecanolactam, hexadecanolactam, alkyl substituted caprolactams, ary] substituted lactams, and the like.

Lactams having a plurality of ring structures which may be used in the present invention include bislactams such as alkylene bis lactams of the formula:

(cram), tcmnm xn llN l i nin wherein n and n are each whole numbers such that n and n" is 2 to l4; R, and R are as defined above; and R may be C, to C alkylene such as methylene, ethylene, propylene and butylene; phenylene and substituted phenylene; O and S.

Other lactams having a plurality of ring structures include bicyclic lactams, such as those represented by the formulae:

/ l i l c O C 0 I 1 and l l k A l l The lactams to be polymerized can be used individually or in any combination thereof.

THE lNlTlATOR The initiator which is to be employed in the present invention is a compound having the structure m ls-X4 Lt wherein AR is an aromatic radical containing 1 to about 10, inclusive, homocyclic rings, wherein at least one ring in each radical is substituted by at least one electron withdrawing group, and is preferably so substin is a whole number of about 1 to 10 inclusive, R is a C, to C inclusive, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, carbon containing radical which may be a) a hydrocarbon radical including aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic radicals such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, cycloheptyl, cyclohexyl, ally], porpenyi, hexadienyl, octadienyl, phenyl, benzyl and naphthyl, and/or b) a radical containing 0, S, and/or N in the carbon chain such as Z-pyridyl, 3-quinolyl, and 2-oxazolyl; and R and R may be the same or different and may be H or R, and where R, R and R" are substituted carbon containing radicals, they may contain substituents which are inert to the other components of the polymerization reaction system, such as halogen, i.e., Cl, Br, F, and l, NO and CN. R and R may also be bonded together to form a cyclic structure with N and X, and in such case R R may be [CR,R ]n wherein R and R may be the same or different and may be as defined for R and R" above, and n is a whole number which is 3 to about 20 inclusive.

The electron withdrawing groups with which the Ar radical may be substituted include halogen (i.e., Cl, Br, F and I) radicals, CN, CF SO R, COR, NO, CCl PO(R) and SOR", wherein R is as defined for R and R above. in the PO(R) group only one R may be H.

In some of the initiators as noted above, the Ar radical may contain two or more homocyclic rings which are not fused together. In such initiators the non-fused rings may be joined together by a covalent bond, or by one or more linking groups which may be wherein R is as defined above The groups which are used to link two or more rings together may also be considered as being electron withdrawing groups with which the Ar radical is to be substituted.

Where n is l, the initiators are monoamides and where n is l, the initiators are polyamides. Examples of the substituted Ar radicals in the monoamides would thus include wherein R is as defined above.

Examples of the substituted Ar radicals in the polyamides would include wherein R' is as defined above, and

Y S0, 50 CO, CF CCl C(CN) or POR THE POLYMERS The use of the initiators of the present invention results in the preparation of polymers by the following two step procedure, in which the use of a monoamide initiator is shown:

anion again regenerated.

The last two steps are repeated many times and result in a polymer having the structure wherein Ar, X, R and R are as defined above, M is the cation of the anionic catalyst, and

R is that portion of the structure of the lactam being polymerized which lies between the nitrogen atom and the carbonyl carbon atom of such lactam, and

m is a whole number which is l and is such that the polymer is a material, that is normally solid, i.e., solid at temperatures of about 25 C., and has a reduced viscosity in m-cresol (0.1 gram/100 ml) at 25 C. of 0.4, and preferably about 0.8 to 7, deciliters/grams.

The value ofm may vary somewhat in each polymerized lactam chain, and will be about to about 5,000. The polymers would thus have molecular weights of about 1,000 to 500,000 or more.

The lactam polymers prepared with the amide initiators of the present invention have good physical properties.

THE CATALYST The catalysts which may be employed in the anionic polymerization reaction of the present invention include all anionic catalyst materials which may be employed in the anionic polymerization of lactams. The catalyst material is usually a salt of the lactam being polymerized although any other lactam may be used to form the catalysLThe salt is usually prepared by reacting the lactam with a strong base, i.e., a base strong enough to convert the lactam to its salt. Such bases would include alkali and alkaline earth metals or basic derivatives of such metals such as the hydroxides, oxides, alkoxides, phenoxides, hydrides, alkyls, aryls, amides, borohydrides and weak acid salts, i.e., acetates, carbonates, bicarbonates, benzoates, sulfites and bisulfites; Grignard reagents, and various other organometallic compounds. Such bases would include, therefore, metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, and aluminum and derivatives of such metals, such as lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, strontium hydroxide, barium hydroxide, lithium hydride, sodium hydride, sodium oxide, sodium methoxide, sodium phenoxide, sodium methyl, sodium ethyl, sodium phenyl, sodium naphthyl, and sodamide; Grignard reagents such as ethyl magnesium chloride, methyl magnesium bromide, and phenyl magnesium bromide; and other compounds such as zinc diethyl, triisopropyl aluminum, diisobutyl hydride, and lithium aluminum hydride.

About 0.2 to 20, and preferably 0.5 to 6 mole per cent of catalyst is used per mole of monomer being polymerized.

The catalyst and initiator are employed in a mole ratio to each other of about 2 to 20, and preferably, 3 to 12.

When the strong base is reached with the lactam to form the catalyst a by-product is usually formed. For example, hydrogen is formed as a by-product when the metal hydrides or the elemental metals are used; water is formed as a by-product when metal hydroxides are used; alcohols are formed when alkoxides are used and water and CO are formed when carbonate or bicarbonate salts are used. The preferred catalysts are those which result in the most readily removable byproducts, since some of the by-products, such as H O, may have a deleterious effect on the polymerization reaction.

THE POLYMERIZATION PROCESS The polymerization reaction is preferably conducted in bulk. Under such bulk polymerization procedures the monomer, catalyst and initiator are charged in the desired proportions to the reactor. The bulk polymer ization reaction is usually conducted at atmospheric 5 pressure and at a temperature of about 100 to 250 C. The reaction can be conducted at a temperature which is above or below the melting point of the resulting polymer, and above that of the monomer. The use of elevated pressure is not required for the polymerization reaction. The bulk polymerization reaction requires a polymerization period of about 3 to minutes at 100-250 C, depending on the lactam(s) employed, and the polymerization temperature. The bulk polymerization reaction should be carried out under anhydrous conditions, i.e., in the presence of no more than about 0.3 weight per cent, and preferably no more than 0.03 weight per cent, of water or other active hydrogen containing by-product. Where a catalyst is used which would generate water or other active hydrogen containing by-products, such as the hydroxide, alkoxide or phenoxide catalysts, the excess amounts of such byproduct materials should be removed before the poly merization reaction is conducted.

The polymerization is preferably carried out under an inert blanket of gas, such as, nitrogen, argon or helium in order to prevent oxidative degradation of the monomer and destruction of the catalyst by moisture.

The reaction may be carried out batchwise or continuously. An advantageous method of carrying out the reaction of the present invention is to conduct the bulk polymerization in conventional molding equipment such as a rotational casting device or a compression molding machine, or an extruder. In this way the polymer and the molded objects can be formed in one step. Where the polymerization is conducted in such molding devices, conventional molding pressures may be employed in order to simultaneously form the molded object with the in situ formed polymer.

Since the lactams are normally solid materials at room temperatures, the bulk polymerization reactions may be carried out by various procedures. In one procedure, the lactam may be melted, and both the catalyst and the initiator admixed with it and then the reaction may be caused to proceed by bringing the reaction mixture to polymerization temperatures.

In another procedure, the catalyst and initiator may be dissolved separately in the lactam monomer, after which the two separate solutions may be combined to cause the polymerization to proceed at polymerization temperatures. Where the polymerization is conducted in molding equipment, the equipment may be heated to the desired polymerization temperature in order to effect polymerization upon injection therein of the polymerization reaction system.

In addition to being conducted in bulk, the polymerization may also be conducted in high boiling inert organic solvents, i.e., those having boiling points of above 100 C., such as chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, xylene, trichlorobenzene, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-alkyl pyrrolidones and hexamethylphosphoramide at temperatures of about 100 C. up to the boiling point of the solvent; or at temperatures of about 130 to 240 C. in dispersion systems such as those disclosed in US. Pat. Nos. 3,061,592 and 3,383,352, and by 0.8. Gechele and G.F. Martins in J. Applied Polymer Science 9, 2939 (1965).

ADJUVANTS The polymerization reaction of the present invention may also be conducted in the presence of various types of adjuvant materials which are normally employed with the types of polymers prepared by the present invention, or the adjuvants may be added to the polymer after it is formed. Such adjuvant materials would include fillers, stabilizers, fibrous reinforcing agents such as asbestos and glass fiber, and pigmenting materials.

The particular polymer being prepared as well as the end use application will dictate the selection and quantity of the adjuvant to be employed therewith since it is the respective adjuvants for such polymers and such applications that are to be employed in the present invention. The adjuvants employed must be physically and chemically compatible with each of the other components of the monomer and polymer based compositions, under the prescribed operating conditions. As such, where they are present during the polymerization reaction, the adjuvants should not contain reactive groups which would interfere with the polymerization reactions, such as active hydrogen containing groups such as carboxyl, amino, mercaptan or hydroxyl groups.

The adjuvants would be used in amounts which would be effective for intended purpose. Thus, a stabilizer would be used in a stabilizing effective quantity, and the fillers would be used in effective quantities therefor. For example, if a reinforcing filler were to be used, such filler should be used in such amounts as to provide the desired reinforcing effect.

The polymers made by the process of the present invention may be used for a number of applications which require the use of molded articles prepared from lactam polymers such as fibers, films, engineering structures, coatings and hollow articles such as tubing and solvent tanks.

The following examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended as a limitation upon the scope thereof.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of N,N.'-dimethylN,N'-diacetyl-4,4- diaminodiphenyl sulfone, i.e.,

. We... a .0. CI 3gN-@-S 07@-N 1 CH3 41H; Y I lZHQ 500 grams (1.74 mole) of 4,4 dichlorodiphenylsulfone, 5 .0 grams of cuprousl chloride and 1,200 ml of 40 percent aqueous methylamine (14.2 mole) were heated in a 2.2 liter titanium-lined bomb for 18 hours at 250C. After cooling, the slurry was filtered, the solids washed twice with cold water and dried (75/vacuum); yield 472 g.; 98 percent of theory. The product melted at l63-l73 C. Crystallization of a small sample from ethanol yielded the N,N'- dimethylamine compound with a M.P. of l75-l77 C.

50 grams of the diamine were refluxed overnight in 50 ml. of glacial acetic acid and 50 ml. acetic anhydride. The solvent was then evaporated and the desired diamide product was crystallized from ml of 80 percent aqueous ethanol; m.p. l55 7 C.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-trifluoroacetyl- 4,4-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, i.e.,

10 grams of the N,N'-dimethylamine compound prepared as in Example 1 were refluxed in 35 ml. of trifluoroacetic acid and 15 ml. of the anhydr'ide of trifluoroacetic acid. The desired trifluoroacetyl derivative thus produced was crystallized from ethanol, melting point: l60.0-l6l.5 C.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of N-methyl-2,4,6-trichloroacetanilide, i.e.,

28.6 grams (0.27 mole) of N-methylaniline were chlorinated at l0-l 8 in l l4ml. of acetic acid with 60 grams (0.84 mole) of Cl Following this, 56 grams of acetic anhydride (0.55 mole) were added and the liquid system was refluxed over night. The volatiles were removed and the residue charcoaled and crystallized from 25 percent aqueous ethanol, to provide 8.3 grams of the desired compound which had a melting point (MP) of -7 C.

EXAMPLE 4 Anionic polymerization of e-Caprolactam using N,N'-dimethyl, N,N-tritluoroacetyl, 4,4- diaminodiphenyl sulfone as the initiator Molten e-caprolactam (28.3 grams, 0.25 mole) was added to two cylindrical 25 mm X 200 mm glass tubes (total monomer charge was 56.6 grams or 0.5 mole). Both tubes were heated in a C. oil bath. Sodium hydride (0.48 grams, 2 X 10- mole, as 0.84 grams of a 57 percent mineral oil dispersion, 4 mole percent based on the total monomer) was added to one tube. It quickly reacted to form a homogeneous solution of sodium e-caprolactam in e-caprolactam.

Initiator (l.0 grams, 2.14 X 10 mole, 0.42 mole percent based on the total monomer) was added to the second test tube. After a solution was formed in this I psi, tensile strength 10,000 psi, elongation at break 30 percent and pendulum impact 253 ft. lb./in

EXAMPLES -9 Anionic polymerization of e-caprolactam using N,N- 5

dimethyl-N,N' -diacetyl-4,4' -diaminodiphenyl sulfone as the initiator.

A series of five polymerization reactions were conducted. In each of the five examples each of two 25 X 200 mm test tubes were charged with 28.3 grams (0.25 mole) of molten e-caprolactam and both test tubes were then heated at the desired polymerization temperature. Sodium hydride in the form of a 57 percent dispersion in oil was added to one of these test tubes while the initiator was added to the other. After solutions were formed and equilibrated with the bath temperature they were mixed, and then heated at the desired polymerization temperature. The progress of the polymerization was followed visually. The polymer that formed was ground up and extracted with methanol in a Soxhlet extractor for 25 hours to determine the per cent of extractables (monomer and oligomers). The amounts of catalyst and initiator used and the polymerization conditions and results are summarized below in Table l for each of the five examples.

(theory 3 to 27.6 g. (0.1 mole) of bis-(N-methyl-paminophenyl)sulfone in 80 ml. of pyridine. A mild exo therm was noted. When the exotherm ceased, the reaction solution was heated under reflux for 24 hours. The solution was poured into water and the bis-benzamide was separated from the water by extraction with chloroform. The chloroform solution was evaporated, and the residue was recrystallized successively from chloroform-carbon tetrachloride (1:2) and percent aque- 10 ous ethanol. There was obtained 27 g. of the bisbenzamide, m.p. 125128, nmr spectrum exhibited chemical shifts (TMS, in CDCl;,) at 7.71, 7.20, 7.15 for aromatic protons and 3.45 ppm for N-CH group, with total aromatic proton to N-CH area ratio of 2.94 to 1 l). Elemental Analysis values for C I-1 N 05:

Calculated: S- 6.62; N-5.78

Found: S- 6.49; N-5.77

EXAMPLE 14 Polymerization of e-caprolactam using the diamide compound prepared as in Example 13 as an anionic polymerization initiator. v

lnto each of two X 200 mm test tubes was added 28.3 g. (0.25 mole) of molten caprolactam and both 1 A film of the extracted polymer was compression molded at 250 C. and it had tensile modulus 297,000 p.s.1., tensile strength 9,700, elongation at break 7091 and pendulum impact 159.

Note. HDT heat distortiai temyStYtiiiei H EXAMPLES 10- 12 N-methyl-2,4,-trichloroacetanilide as initiator for 0 the polymerization of e-Caprolactam A series of three polymerization reactions were conducted. In each of the three examples the general polymerization procedure used is the same as that de-' scribed in Examples 5-9, except that N-Methyl-2,4,6- Trichloroacetanilide was used as the initiator. The amounts of the catalyst and initiator that were used and polymerization conditions and results are summarized below in Table I] for each of the three examples.

were then heated at a polymerization temperature of 160 C. Two (2) mole percent of a catalyst, sodium hydride, in the form of a dispersion (57 percent) in oil was added to one of these test tubes, while 1.0 mol percent of the initiator was added to the other. After solutions were formed and equilibrated with the bath temperature, they were mixed and then heated at the 160 C. polymerization temperature. The progress of the polymerization was followed visually. The time required for the development of opacity was taken as the time required for crystallization of the nylon-6 formed.

FAE'LE if t(min.) N 2111 Initiator Polym. heating Percent Expt mole, mole, temp., t(min.) diseonextract- HDI, RV., No. percent percent cryst. tinned ables C. dlJgm.

EXAMPLE 13 The no-flow time for the polymerization system was Preparation of N,N'-dibenzoyl-N,N-dimethyl-4,4'- diamino diphenyl sulfone, i.e.,

A solution of 56g. (0.4 mole) of benzoyl chloride in ml. of pyridine'was added slowly to a solution of one minute and the time required for crystallization 60 was 1.5 minutes.

EXAMPLE 15 Preparation of p-phenyl sulfonyl-N-methyl acetanilide, i.e.,

A mixture of 25 g. (0.1 mole) of phenyl pchlorphenyl sulfone, 75 ml. of 40 percent aqueous methylamine, and 0.25 g. of cuprous chloride was heated at 250 in a rocker bomb for 24 hours. The resulting aminated sulfone was isolated by washing with water until methylamine odor was only faintly detectable. To the crude aminated sulfone there was added 100 ml. of acetic anhydride and the mixture was heated at reflux for 24 hours.

Excess acetic anhydride was then evaporated from the reaction system and the residue was poured into water. The amide was collected and recrystallized from 20 percent aqueous ethanol. There was obtained 17.8 g. of the desired amide which had a melting point of 130 132.

EXAMPLE l6 Polymerization of e-caprolactam using the amide compound prepared as in Example as an anionic polymeriz ation initiator.

into each of two 25 X 200 mm test tubes was added 28.3 g. (0.25 mole) of molten caprolactam, and both were then heated at a polymerization temperature of 160 C. Two (2) mole percent ofa catalyst, sodium hydride, in the form of a dispersion (57 percent) in oil was added to one of these test tubes, while 0.5 mole percent of the initiator was added to the other. After solutions were formed and equilibrated with the bath temperature, they were mixed and then heated at the 160 C. polymerization temperature. The progress of the polymerization was followed visually. The time required for the development of opacity was taken as the time required for crystallization of the Nylon 6 formed.

The no flow time for the polymerization system was 1 to 1.5 minutes, and the time required for crystallization was 1.5-2 minutes.

EXAMPLE 1'] Preparation of N,N'-dimethylsulfonyl-N,N'- dimethyl-4,4'-diamino diphenyl sulfone, i.e.,

A solution of 33 g. (0.4 mole) of methanssulfonyl chloride in 50 ml. of pyridine was added dropwise to a solution of 27.6 grams (0.1 mole) of bis-(N-methyl-paminophenyl)sulfone in 100 ml of pyridine over a period of about 15 minutes. After the mild exotherm subsided, the mixture was heated at reflux for 22 hours. The reaction mixture was poured into water and the precipitated product was washed with water and recrystallized from chloroform. There was added 24.5 g. of the desired sulfonamide which had a melting point of 213-215 C.

Anal: Calc. for c,,.,u ,,N.o s,; C, 44.43; H, 4.60; N, 6.48; S, 22.23 Found: C, 43.92; H, 4.37; N, 6.34; S, 22.38

EXAMPLE 18 Polymerization of e-caprolactam using the diamide compound prepared as in Example 17 as an anionic polymerization initiator.

Into each of two 25 X 200 mm test tubes was added 28.3 g. (0.25 mole) of molten caprolactam, and both were then heated at a polymerization temperature of 160 C. Two (2) mole percent of a catalyst, sodium hydride, in the form of a dispersion (57 percent) in oil was added to one of these test tubes, while 1.0 mole percent of the initiator was added to the other. After solutions were formed and equilibrated with the bath temperature they were mixed and then heated at the 160 C. polymerization temperature. The progress of the polymerization was followed visually. The time re quired for the development of opacity was taken as the time required for crystallization of the Nylon 6 formed.

The crystallization time for the polymerization system was 53 minutes.

EXAMPLE 19 A. Preparation of (N-methyl-paminophenyl)diphenyl phosphine oxide, i.e.,

Twenty (20.0) grams of (p-chlorophenyl)diphenyl phosphine oxide, i.e.,

were heated in a 220 ml titanium lined bomb at 250 C.for 18 hours with 120 ml of 40 percent aqueous methylamine, (Cl-i NH The temperature of the reaction was then quenched to room temperature and the contents of the bomb were transferred to a 500 m] beaker to which 200 ml of water were added. The system was heated at C. for about 1 hour to remove volatile material. The resulting system was then washed several times with water to remove CH NH HCI and the prod uct was dried. There was obtained 18.3 grams of the product (93 percent of theory). A 5 gram sample of the product was then crystallized twice from 50/50 benzene/cyclohexane to yield 4.1 grams of (N-methyl-paminophenyl)diphenyl phosphine oxide. This product had a melting point of l77178 C. Analysis for C H PON: Calculated: C, 74.27; H, 5.86; N, 4.56 Found: C, 75.34; H, 6.00; N, 4.15

The infrared spectrum of the compound showed monosubstituted phenyl and para-disubstituted phenyl absorption bands. The nmr analysis of the compound showed aryl-HlCH -H in the ratio of 4.65 (theory B. Preparation of (Nacetyl-N meth yl-paminophenyl) diphenyl phosphine oxide, i.e.,

13.3 grams of the (N-methyl-p-aminphenyl)diphenyl phosphine oxide prepared above in Example 19A and 4.42 grams of acetic acid anhydride were admixed in 100 ml of glacial acetic acid and then refluxed for 45 minutes. The volatile components of the system were then evaporated at 100 C. The residual acetic acid was displaced with toluene twice, at 50 C (25-50 mm Hg). The yield (crude) of the desired product was 12.5 grams or 83 percent of theoretical. When crystallized from 50/50 benzene/cyclohexane and then from 50/50 benzene/ethyl ether, the product had a melting point of 148149 C. Analysis for C H O PN Calculated: C, 72.21; H, 5.73; N, 4.01 Found: C, 72.15; H, 5.42; N, 4.13

The infrared spectrum of the compound had intense ll 11 P and C-N absorptions, next to the monosubstituted phenyl and paradisubstituted phenyl absorption bands. The nmr analysis of the compound showed aryl-H -CHr-EI :N-CH -1-1 ratios of 4.95 l 1 (theory 4.68 l 1).

EXAMPLES 20-22 Polymerization of e-caprolactam using the amide compound prepared in Example 198 as an anionic polymerization initiator.

A series of three polymerization reactions were conducted. In each of the three examples each of two 25 X 200 mm test tubes were charged with 28.3 grams (0.25 mol) of molten e-caprolactam and both test tubes were then heated to a temperature of 150 C. Sodium hydride in the form of a 57 percent dispersion in oil was then added to one of these test tubes while the initiator was added to the other. After solutions were formed in each of the test tubes and equilibrated with the 150 C. bath temperature, the contents of the two test tubes were mixed, and heated in the 150 C. bath. The progress of the polymerization was followed visually. The time required for the development of opacity was taken as the time required for crystallization of the nylon-6 polymer that was formed. The amounts of catalyst and initiator that were used (mole and the crystallization time required in each experiment are summarized below in Table 111 for each of the three examples.

TABLE 111 Nail initiator Crystal. time Example mole% mole% (minutes) 20 2 1 -6 21 4 2 3-4 22 4 2 4-5 EXAMPLE 23 Preparation of N,N-formyl-N,N-methyl-4,4-

diamino diphenyl sulfone, i.e.,

Bis(N-methyl-p-aminophenyl)sulfone (27.6 grams, 0.01 mole) was heated at reflux in 100 grams of formic acid (90 percent) for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure at 80100 C. The crude product was then washed with water and recrystallized from 50-50 chloroformlhexane. There was obtained 19 grams of bis( N-formal- N-methyl-p-aminophenyl) sulfone which had a melting point of 2l0-2l2 C.

EXAMPLE 24 Polymerization of e-caprolactam using the compound prepared as in Example 23 as an anionic polymerization initiator.

Into each of two 25 X 200 mm test tubes was added 28.3 grams (0.25 mol) of molten e-caprolactam and both were then heated at a temperature of C. Two (2) mole percent of a catalyst, sodium hydride, in the form of a dispersion (57 percent) in oil was added to one of these test tubes, while 0.5 mole percent of the initiator was added to the other. After solutions were formed in each of the test tubes and equilibrated with the 150 C. bath temperature, they were mixed and then heated at 150 C. The progress of the polymerization was followed visually. The time required for the development of opacity was taken as the time required for crystallization of the nylon-6 that was formed. The time required for crystallization was 15l7 minutes.

EXAMPLE 25 Preparation of N,N'-diphenylphosphoryl-N,N- dimethyl-4,4'-diamino diphenyl sulfone, i.e.,

9 CH; CH; O

A solution of 9 grams (3.8 millimols) of diphenylphosphoryl chloride and 5.25 grams (1.9 millimols) of bis(p-methylaminophenyl) sulfone in 100 ml of pyridine was heated at reflux for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to dryness under aspirator pressure. The resulting residue was then extracted with benzene. Upon evaporation of the benzene from the extract there was obtained 9.8 grams (80 percent of theoretical) of N,N'-diphenylphosphoryl-N,N dimethyl-4,4'-diamino diphenyl sulfone in crude form which had infrared absorptions at 7.5, 8.6g. (for S0 7.7g. (for P0); and a triplet at 13.25, 13.7 and 14.4 s s)2 EXAMPLE 26 Polymerization of e-caprolactam using the compound prepared as in Example 25 as an anionic polymerization initiator.

lnto each of two 25 X 200 mm test tubes was added 28.3 grams (0.25 mole) of molten e-caprolactam and both test tubes were heated to C. Four (4) mole percent of a catalyst, sodium hydride, in the form of a dispersion (57 percent) in oil was added to one of these test tubes, while 1.0 mole percent of the initiator was added to the other. After solutions were formed in each of the test tubes and equilibrated with the 160 C. bath temperature, they were mixed together and then heated at 160 C. The progress of the polymerization was followed visually. The time required for the development of opacity was taken as the time required for crystallization of the nylon-6 polymer that was formed.

The no-flow time for the polymerization system was 3 minutes and the crystallization time was about 30 minutes.

PREPARATION OF THE lNlTlATORS The initiators used in the process of the present invention may be prepared as disclosed in some of the and 26,045. now U.S. Pat. N6. 3.? 1 8. 672 respectively. The disclosures of all of such applications are incorporated herein by reference.

The initators of the present invention are prepared by reacting an amine compound of the structure wherein AR, R and n are as defined above, with'at least a molar equivalent, and preferably a molar excess, of a compound having the structure A-[X- R'L. wherein X an and R are as defined above, and'a is l or 2, and when a is 1, A is OH or a halogen radical, i.e., C], F, Br or 1, and when a is 2, A is an O radical. When A is a halogen radical, halogen acid is formed as a byproduct, when A is an 01-1 radical, water is formed as a by-product, and when A is an O radical, an acid is formed as a by-product. When a halogen acid is formed as a by-product the reactions are preferably conducted in a halogen acid accepting solvent such as pyridine, alkyl substituted pyridines and triethylamine. At least one mole of such acid accepting solvent is used per mole of halogen acid formed in the reaction. Excess solvent may be used for diluent purposes.

When water is a by-product, the reaction system preferably contains mechanical or chamical means for effectively removing the water so that the reaction may be driven to completion.

The reaction is conducted at atmospheric pressure and at temperatures of about 80 to 200 C. The preferred temperature is the reflux temperature of the mixture of the components of the reaction system. The reaction may be run under an inert blanket of a moisture free gas such as nitrogen. The reaction is usually conducted for a period up to about 24 hours.

The initiator compounds are crystalline materials which may be readily recovered from the reaction systems in which they are prepared by precipitation with water or by extraction with solvents such as chloroform, benzene and toluene followed by crystallization from appropriate solvents such as chloroform, aqueous ethanol or aqueous acetone, benzene, cyclohexane, ethyl ether and hexane.

The initiators prepared in Examples 1, 2, and 23 are representative of a subclass of initators wherein, n, as defined above, is 2, X, as defined above, is

and. R. as defined above is H or a C, to C20. inclusive. hydrocarbon or perhalocarbon radical. The preferred of such R radicals are aliphatic radicals.

The initiators prepared in Example and 19B is representative ofinitiators wherein n, as defined above. is l, X, as defined above, is

and R. as defined above, is a C; to C2, inclusive. hydrocarbon radical.

The initiator prepared in Example 17 is representa tive of initiators wherein n, as defined above, is 2, X, as defined above is S0 and R, as defined above, is a C to C inclusive hydrocarbon radical.

The initiator prepared in Example 13 is representative of initiators wherein n, as defined above is 2. X, as defined above, is

and the two Rs. as defin ed above. are the same or different mono-or polynuclear aromatic radicals. These aromatic radicals may be unsubstituted, or substituted with one or more inert substituents. Where these aromatic radicals contain a plurality of phenyl rings, the rings may be fused together, or bonded together through a single covalentbond or through an intervening polyvalent inorganic or organic radical. The preferred of these aromatic radicals are substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and naphthyl radicals.

The initiator prepared in Example is representative of initiators wherein n, as defined above, is 2, X, as defined above, is

and R. as defined above. is a C. to C20. inclusive. hydrocarbon radical.

We claim:

1. In an improved process for anionically polymerizing lactam monomer having 4 to 16 annular carbon atoms in each ring structure thereof with anionic lactam polymerization catalyst and anionic lactam polymerization initiator to produce moldable polyamide resin, the improvement wherein said initiator is at least one compound having the structure wherein X is S0 or S0 Y is S0 or S0 n is a whole number of 1 to about 5, inclusive, and i R and R' are C to about C inclusive, hydrocarbon radicals.

2. A process as in claim 1 in which Y is S0 3. A process as in claim 2 in which X is $0,.

4. A process as in claim 3 in which the two Rs are the same.

5. A process as in claim 4 in which R is CH;,.

6. A process as in claim 5 in which said initiator comprises N,N'-dimethylsulfonyl-N,N-dimethyl 4,4'- diamino diphenyl sulfone.

7. A process as in claim 1 in which said lactam monomer comprises e-caprolactam.

8. A process as in claim 1 which is conducted in a shaping device with the simultaneous formation of a shaped article. 

2. A process as in claim 1 in which Y is SO2.
 3. A process as in claim 2 in which X is SO2.
 4. A process as in claim 3 in which the two R''s are the same.
 5. A proceSs as in claim 4 in which R'' is CH3.
 6. A process as in claim 5 in which said initiator comprises N, N''-dimethylsulfonyl-N,N''-dimethyl-4,4''-diamino diphenyl sulfone.
 7. A process as in claim 1 in which said lactam monomer comprises epsilon -caprolactam.
 8. A process as in claim 1 which is conducted in a shaping device with the simultaneous formation of a shaped article. 